WORTH CONSIDERING?

[Ship called Dignity]

Always did wonder if the councillors get to see the Courier article before they are published incase they have been totally mis-quoted?

Hell no!

Just testing

[John S]

The council’s transport deputy spokesman John Semple said:... 'It is important that we, as a council, take up opportunities to generate income where we can.'

John, surely the council should not place the opportunity to generate income *above* their obligation to provide a suitable standard of service to the people of Argyll & Bute, and Kintyre in particular?

Sure, if they've got spare capacity make use of it to generate income and help keep our council tax bills down but to take on revenue-generating work in preference to maintaining the region's roads to a reasonable standard smacks of profiteering at the expense of the taxpayer.

Aside from the A83 (which ain't in all that bad a shape), I'd dearly love to see something done about the awful state of the B842 north of Carradale which is the prime daily route to/from work and school for quite a few people on the east side of Kintyre yet seems to have received virtually no maintenance in ages. Will it take a fatality before the council do something to improve sight-lines and blind spots?

Regards
Gary Sutherland
---------------------
Carradale, Kintyre
Tax-payer

Many thanks for posting Gary, I've been waiting eagerly for someone to post who is prepared to identify themselves as you have. However I am not concerned that people do it publicly you can PM me with name and contact details and I'll be happy to have the discussion online. Perhaps it would be better if I started my own thread then all of you who don't want to be bothered with the whole identity thing can avoid it.

You are right the minor roads are in the worse state for repairs, and while the new pot hole repair process seems to be working well, all the roads in general are in need of proper planned maintenance rather than emergency repair. This is not unique to Kintyre and it didn't happen overnight.

The council has an estimated £45 -£50 million backlog in roads maintenance and the roads budget is estimated to have an annual shortfall of £2 million. These are horrific figures and came as a shock to me. Addressing this issue is not going to be easy but it has to be done. Part of the answer is to use what skills our roads teams have to generate income. This way the council retains the capacity to do major road works and generates funds to start to address the shortfall.

Raising the profile of concern over roads with your elected representatives is the most practical way the community can address the funding crisis in roads - We vote on budget proposals so make sure all your representatives are puting roads as a priority, you might assume by what they say that they already do, don't take it for granted.

I will keep pushing the issue with the Scottish Government however the council got itself into this mess so I won’t hold my breath for Government bailing it out, particularly given the tight settlement from Westminster.

In the meantime if you can post areas of particular concern. I can make sure they are at least identified for prioritisation in work programs.

Best Wishes,

Cllr John Semple

[Sheik Yir Erse]

The council has an estimated £45 -£50 million backlog in roads maintenance and the roads budget is estimated to have an annual shortfall of £2 million.

John - are you able to divulge what the annual budget is? Are you saying that there's £45m-£50m outstanding over and above that budget? i.e. if the budget was £30m, are you saying that there's £80m of work outstanding? Apologies if I've misunderstood.

[Buzz Lightyear]

The council has an estimated £45 -£50 million backlog in roads maintenance and the roads budget is estimated to have an annual shortfall of £2 million. These are horrific figures and came as a shock to me. Addressing this issue is not going to be easy but it has to be done. Part of the answer is to use what skills our roads teams have to generate income. This way the council retains the capacity to do major road works and generates funds to start to address the shortfall.

Cllr John Semple

I agree it is a good thing that the council are trying to offset the budget with income, any business sense would tell that, what i dont agree with is that because of the income streams, you see the squads working at the weekends on overtime, surely this must put a strain on the budgets also....in one hand....out the other. surely better programming is called for.

[Jock Strap]

.....

Regards
Gary Sutherland
---------------------
Carradale, Kintyre
Tax-payer

Many thanks for posting Gary, I've been waiting eagerly for someone to post who is prepared to identify themselves as you have. However I am not concerned that people do it publicly you can PM me with name and contact details and I'll be happy to have the discussion online. Perhaps it would be better if I started my own thread then all of you who don't want to be bothered with the whole identity thing can avoid it.

The thing is peope want to be able to comment but not say who they are - there is nothing wrong with that if there point is valid??? We live in a small town so like others, I don't want to put my name to something which can be misconstrued by others. You on the other hand are elected and paid to do that.

As for Gary being prepared to identify himself it would suit Gary better to ask his own Councillors noo Carradale belongs to North Kintyre and the Islands.

I honestly believe if people could say more about the town (Kintyre) without identifying themselves they would. So does it really matter if there point is valid?

[Beachcomber]

As for Gary being prepared to identify himself it would suit Gary better to ask his own Councillors noo Carradale belongs to North Kintyre and the Islands.

It was in John's role as the 'council’s transport deputy spokesman' that I was asking the questions, not as my local councillor who doesn't appear to haunt these halls.

The re-zoning of Carradale into Kintyre and the Islands is already opening up a few new cans of worms.

[John S]

I was haunting your hills yesterday Gary, took a walk across the Kintyre trail from Tayinloan.

Buzz, there is occasionally a requirement to pay overtime for a variety of reasons; the weather, public safety or inconvenience, using contracted equipment, even travel time to and from jobs. I have questioned in the past the need for overtime payments but there is usually a good reason to do with the balance of value or risk.

Value - if it would in fact cost more not to pay overtime

Risk - if leaving a job incomplete for longer or not doing it at all meant that there could be a greater risk to the public or liability to the Council.

The decision to pay overtime would be on a case-by-case basis depending on a number of variables involved. Retrospectively checking on these would be time-consuming and probably pointless. However, if you know of any recent circumstances where you feel public funds are being wasted on unnecessary overtime let me know and I’ll look into it.

On the anonymous posting - I wonder how many people are happy to read but don't post on here because they feel that some posters use their anonymity to be at best, mischievous or spiteful, at worse libellous or cruel. I say again I’m happy to deal with council issues where I've had direct contact from the people involved - you can pm me or call 01586 553765, I will treat your call in complete confidence. If you don't then I'm afraid I will not deal with your post. Maybe another councillor will come along and answer all comers but, for the moment, I’m it and these are my terms.

[£3.73]

On the anonymous posting - I wonder how many people are happy to read but don't post on here because they feel that some posters use their anonymity to be at best, mischievous or spiteful, at worse libellous or cruel. I say again I’m happy to deal with council issues where I've had direct contact from the people involved - you can pm me or call 01586 553765, I will treat your call in complete confidence. If you don't then I'm afraid I will not deal with your post. Maybe another councillor will come along and answer all comers but, for the moment, I’m it and these are my terms.

AGAIN !

This is a bulletin board on the internet, not the Campbeltown Courier.

If ANYONE has a problem with anonymity and reading this thread, then they are in the wrong place ... end of.

[£3.73]

and, for the record, I voted for upgrading the roads.

The entire infrastructure the area needs to be addressed before a single tourist is even contemplated.

it's all very well bringing people here, it's another thing entirely that they have things to do and that take away positive reports (and their vehicle suspension still works).

[John S]

Sorry to disappoint £3.73, but don't you think that its strange that more than half of the people registered on this forum have only posted once if at all? Is it end off for them too, perhaps they were in the wrong place?

What ever this forum is or becomes, it will be a result of what members make it. If people who live in Kintyre want to use this forum to have an adult discussion about local issues affecting their lives without it descending into a slagging match why shouldn't they?

Beginning off.

[£3.73]

Ok then ... so what if, as a new poster, your 1st 10 posts were moderated before they get published ?

That would solve that !

[general jack o'niell]

think the point is getting lost here somewhere, if posters wish to remain unknown they are entitled to do so, all john was asking was that he'd rather know who he was talking to before getting into any great detail regarding the topic, he did ask and suggest that any person wishing to enter into such discourse could message him privately, this would let him know who he was talking to in the main thread without them having to reveal themselves to all and sundry, not much to ask?

i have used the same approach with the stargate section, anyone wanting access need only send me a private message revealing their true name, since i have to take responsibility for that section i think its only fair that i know the names of all those with access, its much easier to have a sensible discussion when you know who it is you are talking to. thats all theoretical since i am useless at remembering names and even if i do, i'm unlikely to be able to put a face to the name, a couple of members recently introduced themselves to me and if i met them again i'd have no idea who they are?

john, being a councillor has to be sure of every word he writes, when dealing with facts that is, opinion is a different kettle of fish, theres always someone who will disagree, which is only right and proper, i'd say its only good manners to at least take the man at his word and let him know who he is speaking to, afterall why should he be made to stand by every word when those that oppose his views seek to remain anonomous?its not MI5 or the CIA we are dealing with, its just a bloody forum, i personally never believe a word said by, or give any credance to anyone who hasn't the simple decency to stand by their opinion, its almost as if they don't believe it themselves and are only posting to cause mischief, in which case they should join the 900+ non posters, the internet equivelent of those you see hanging about in the main st after the pubs close, they are just standing around hoping that someone will start a fight for them to watch, so that they can gossip about it afterwards, the same thing happens here, i've been told on numerous occassions about certain individuals retelling posts of mine to members of my extended family, funny thing is, i never see these people post anything yet they are always well informed, if repeating my posts is what passes for amusement then they surely lead a sorry sad life.

i hope that those directly or indirectly concerned take john up on his offer, it will lead to a more open discussion and then maybe we will be lucky enough to have a bit more insight into the workings of the council and be able to make a more informed choice when it comes to choosing our representatives, at least john is visible on here, your other councillors won't be seen till election time, not unless you intend to have pics taken of whichever envelope you happen to be opening, then of course they'll fall over themselves to get in shot!!!!!

i know of one who if jhe ever posted on here would claim credit for the forum in his next election literature

[Jock Strap]

As for Gary being prepared to identify himself it would suit Gary better to ask his own Councillors noo Carradale belongs to North Kintyre and the Islands.

It was in John's role as the 'council’s transport deputy spokesman' that I was asking the questions, not as my local councillor who doesn't appear to haunt these halls.

The re-zoning of Carradale into Kintyre and the Islands is already opening up a few new cans of worms.

Cheers Gary - was just baiting. I note with interest from the Antler that Rory Colville attended the last community council meeting in Carradale. Did also raise an eyebrow when it was mentioned that none of three South Kintyre Councillors attended the meeting before. Question is why? They are now South Kintyre - Carradale is in North Kintyre.

[John A]

I think you will find that the reason South Kintyre Councilors attend East Kintyre Community council meetings is because Peninver is part of South Kintyre and also part of East Kintyre Community Council.